Author: Dave Dishman (Page 273 of 475)

Few aromas prove more delightful than fresh bread from the oven. A large, industrial bakery operates not far from where I live. They bake thousands of loaves of bread there a day. To drive by when bread fills the ovens and the wind’s just right is to experience a slice of heaven. I’m surprised more people don’t close their eyes and run off the road.

After Jesus fasted 40 days in the wilderness, the devil pitched the idea of fresh, warm bread. I wonder if Jesus smelled its aroma at that moment?

Jesus rebuked that temptation with man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. He referenced Deuteronomy 8:3, where bread refers to manna the children of Israel enjoyed during their own wilderness experience.

Jesus underscored the value of God’s Word in my life. My soul needs the word of God just like my body needs food and water. The hunger I experience throughout the day reflects the craving my soul experiences for the scriptures. Next time you power into a meal, remember your soul patiently waits its turn at the table.

Perhaps the angst we experience in this world points to a hangry soul. When I fail to keep my body nourished I slide into a crabby version of myself. I lose willpower and grab handfuls of junk food. My body softens, and I realize I need to eat better. Likewise, my soul only flourishes and grows vibrant with a steady diet of God’s Word.

Like God surprised the people of Israel with manna in the desert, God’s Word will delight your soul. It’s like adding sweet, creamy butter to warm bread. Nothing compares.

Matthew 4 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Monika Grabkowska

In what people or institutions do you put your trust? I watch how the years bring changes to people and places where I place my trust. Scandals among those deemed trustworthy, be it accountants or clergy, atrophy my trust muscle.

At this point in life I’m less disappointed in failures as I’m awed by anyone who stays faithful over the years.

King David reminds me the Lord remains rock solid: Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

David practiced warfare. He understood the value of strong horses and well-constructed chariots. He rode to battle in their midst. But David also recognized the vanity of trusting in anything but the Lord.

What are your horses and chariots—what do you tend to trust more than the Lord? A bulging 401(k)? Good health? A fine education? Your work ethic? Insurance to cover all possible calamities?

We’re created to live and serve and prosper, and wonderful gifts come our way. But only by trusting in the Lord our God—the giver of our chariots and horses—do we experience life as it’s meant to be.

Psalm 20 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Helena Lopes

Often my breakfast consists of a granola bar with coffee (hey, it’s healthier than a cigarette and a cup of coffee). This light fare sends me into the day, but I’m ready for an early lunch. Not much left sticking to my ribs after a couple of hours.

Elijah enjoyed a power breakfast like you and I never see. After his confrontation with the prophets of Baal and fleeing from the evil Jezebel, Elijah lost heart. An angel woke him and fed him a cake of some sort. After repeating this cycle of sleeping and eating, Elijah went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.

What was in those cakes? Something similar to the lembas bread baked by elves in the Lord of the Rings, where one small cake kept a traveler on his feet through a full day of hard labor. Of course, lembas is make-believe (despite what you read on the internet) so no elven pastries for us.

Unexpected help came to Elijah in the form of power cakes from the hand of a celestial baker. No one had eaten this food before or has eaten it since. The Lord provided uniquely for Elijah in his time of need.

I wonder just how uniquely the Lord provides for me? Elijah needed strength and encouragement at a fearful point in his life, and the Lord brought both. You and I experience such periods as well. As we journey through them it’s good to remember the Lord provides for us in the exact ways we need at the exact times we need it.

I Kings 19 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Jonathan Farber

Four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal surged in a frenzied dance, slashing themselves with swords until covered in blood. For hours they raved, begging their god to respond.

But there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention.

If you remember the story, Elijah next prayed to the Lord who immediately responded with heaven’s fire followed by a massive rain. Clearly the Lord paid attention.

Although I think Baal’s prophets were crazy, their misguided devotion makes me sad. Despite all their efforts no one paid attention.

Psalm 119:18 reads: open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous thing out of your law.

The Lord pays attention to us in various ways, but most often through wondrous things from the Scriptures. As we read and give thought, the Holy Spirit illumines God’s Word. New insights sparkle and we uncover ideas planted just for us.

Think you’ll discover wondrous things from social media? How about streaming entertainment or news channels? Nope. In those locales you can slash and bleed, but no one pays attention.

Fortunately, our Lord responds. Open that Good Book laying on your shelf—therein lies wonders.

I Kings 18 & Psalm 119 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez